Innovative Prefab Cottage Kits

Green Cottage Kits

There are many kits on the market today for prefab cottages, but none are as environmentally friendly as green cottage kits.  These kits boast traditional housing with a flare for tomorrow.  These kits include a style that is typical of the past 200 years, but contain features that look toward the next 200 years.  Green cottage kits can include several features such as structural insulated panels, as well as rainwater collection, passive solar designs, solar energy, and composting toilets.

The structural insulated panels in these prefab cottages are made from renewable wood sources and save fuel for heating and cooling.  Thus, the pollutants from burning the fuel are dramatically reduced.  This is ultimately a green cottage because these features combined save the environment from the green house effect from burning fuels.  The overall cost on these prefab cottages cannot be exactly pinpointed because every local area has different prices for labor, contractors, and other material.  (See http://www.greencottagekits.com/faqs.htm)

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Cottage In A Day

It may seem unbelievable that any kind of dwelling, whether it is prefab or not, can be built in a day and still be worth living in.  The innovative cottage in a day prefab kit does just that.  With a small floor plan of 14’ x 14’ to 14’ x 28’ L shape for the loft space and attached bedroom, the cottage in a day also contains structurally insulated foam panels fitted with energy star ratings to be more energy efficient.

Instead of being built on a typical foundation, these prefab cottages are built upon concrete piers that only require a 2’ x 5’ hole in the ground.  There is no basement; however, there is a 16-inch insulated crawl space beneath the house.  Because of the design of these prefab cottages, they can be used for a multitude of things such as homes, a lodge, cabin, guest home, studio, or disaster relief.  Also keep in mind that these prefab cottages are mobile.  Since the cottage in a day is attached to a pier, it can be easily moved to another location.  (See http://www.mynorth.com/My-North/May-2008/Build-Your-Cottage-in-a-Day/)

There are various setup options for these prefab cottages so you can make the most of your new cottage in a day.  There are wood finishes on both the interior and the exterior to give these homes a rustic look.  The company that manufactures these homes currently offers four different models that range in size from 182 to 375 square feet, not including the decks.  Movable shutter doors also cover doors and windows to provide relief from the sun.

These prefab cottages are built to meet LEED standards.  The cottage in a day also exceeds the National Association of Homebuilders green standards.  These prefab cottages come with utility ports ready for connection and are powered by electricity for the use of the air-to-air heat exchanger.  This eliminates the need for propane and natural gas.  The inside unit is connected to an outdoor condenser with an inverter process that allows heat and air.  The unit also exchanges interior air with fresh air from outside while controlling the humidity, and up to four interior units can be attached to the condenser.

The cottage in a day also uses higher end plumbing with color-coded pex tubing.  This not only weighs less, but also reduces the need for copper pipes and fittings.  The fixtures conserve water, including dual flush toilets.  Water is heated electrically with a high efficiency water heater in the crawl space.  The maintenance on these prefab cottages varies because of exposure to the elements.  (See http://www.cottageinaday.com/faq.php)

Depending on the model of the cottage in a day, some features may include a fireplace, outdoor shower, screened porch, full-length deck, under floor storage, bamboo flooring, and high windows for natural lighting.  The price for model 1414-S Open is $52,000; Sleeper is $56,000, and the Solo is $56,000.  Model 1428-S is $115,000, and the 1428-SB model runs about $117,000.  Finally, the 142814-L Open is $152,400, and the Sleeper is $156,500.  Additional options are available for all models such as a loft, which costs about $3,950; laundry is $1,350; municipal garbage disposal at $175, and a private garbage disposal is $250.  A wood stove can be added for an additional $3,500; dishwasher is $800, and an outdoor shower is $500.  (See http://www.cottageinaday.com/models/142814_l.php)

Floating Cottage Prefab

Another great modern design in prefab cottages is the floating cottage that rises and falls with the water.  With the traditional concept of a home, these prefab cottages are placed on steel pontoons, so the entire structure can rise and fall with the tide.  Cedar siding is featured on the exterior with a cedar rain screen to filter light or protect the inside from the elements outside.  Other features are floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a rustic design.

These sustainable floating prefab cottages sit on a cedar float of about 40’ x 40’.  The cottage offers a 20’ x 21’ main floor with two bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room, and living area, as well as a loft and master bedroom upstairs.  Besides the main cedar float, smaller floats act as boat docks, woodsheds, and gardens.  Power for these prefab cottages comes from solar and wind power with propane for cooking, refrigeration, and lights.

A floating retreat, these prefab cottages can either sit on the water or stay on the shore.  These prefab cottages are commonly used as weekend getaways, and predictions for aquatecture is a trend to watch for in construction this year.  The steel pontoon automatically adjusts to the changing water levels.  The entire cottage is built from prefab parts, assembled on land, and then anchored in the water.

Some advantages of these prefab cottages are that they include the ability to make use of the water's capacity to absorb energy to provide natural heating and cooling.  There are no high land payments; these prefab cottages are portable and are a solution to rising sea levels because of global warming.  Drawbacks to these prefab cottages are practical such as swaying because of high waves; there is no yard, and the possibility of unanswered questions about environment side effects.  (See http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/inspiration/floating-house-on-lake-huron-073700)